Digital print media output with reduced residual curl

ABSTRACT

Print media, when rolled tightly often produces a high degree of curl when removed from a roll form. The stiffer the media, the more likely the tenancy to curl. On the other hand, media that is too thin will be too floppy for conventional handling. The media described is constructed from fine ribs of greater stiffness running along the axis of a roll. These ribs ideally have a pitch of approximately 200 microns and they can be either formed from embedded fiber of greater stiffness or through ridges of greater thickness. The ribs result in material of greater stiffness across the width of the media than along the length and maintain adequate stiffness for handling and viewing of the printed media.

Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,744 dated Jul. 10, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,052

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purpose of location and identification, U.S. patent applications identified by US patent application serial numbers (USSN) are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the US patent applications claim the right to priority.

Cross-Referenced U.S. Pat. No./ Australian patent application Ser. No. Provisional Patent (Claiming Right of Priority from Application No. Australian Provisional Application) Docket No. PO7991 09/113,060 ART01 PO8505 09/113,070 ART02 PO7988 09/113,073 ART03 PO9395 6,322,181 ART04 PO8017 09/112,747 ART06 PO8014 09/112,776 ART07 PO8025 09/112,750 ART08 PO8032 09/112,746 ART09 PO7999 09/112,743 ART10 PO7998 09/112,742 ART11 PO8031 09/112,741 ART12 PO8030 6,196,541 ART13 PO7997 6,195,150 ART15 PO7979 09/113,053 ART16 PO8015 09/112,738 ART17 PO7978 09/113,067 ART18 PO7982 09/113,063 ART19 PO7989 09/113,069 ART20 PO8019 09/112,744 ART21 PO7980 6,356,715 ART22 PO8018 09/112,777 ART24 PO7938 09/113,224 ART25 PO8016 6,366,693 ART26 PO8024 09/112,805 ART27 PO7940 09/113,072 ART28 PO7939 09/112,785 ART29 PO8501 6,137,500 ART30 PO8500 09/112,796 ART31 PO7987 09/113,071 ART32 PO8022 09/112,824 ART33 PO8497 09/113,090 ART34 PO8020 09/112,823 ART38 PO8023 09/113,222 ART39 PO8504 09/112,786 ART42 PO8000 09/113,051 ART43 PO7977 09/112,782 ART44 PO7934 09/113,056 ART45 PO7990 09/113,059 ART46 PO8499 09/113,091 ART47 PO8502 6,381,361 ART48 PO7981 6,317,192 ART50 PO7986 09/113,057 ART51 PO7983 09/113,054 ART52 PO8026 09/112,752 ART53 PO8027 09/112,759 ART54 PO8028 09/112,757 ART56 PO9394 6,357,135 ART57 PO9396 09/113,107 ART58 PO9397 6,271,931 ART59 PO9398 6,353,772 ART60 PO9399 6,106,147 ART61 PO9400 09/112,790 ART62 PO9401 6,304,291 ART63 PO9402 09/112,788 ART64 PO9403 6,305,770 ART65 PO9405 6,289,262 ART66 PP0959 6,315,200 ART68 PP1397 6,217,165 ART69 PP2370 09/112,781 DOT01 PP2371 09/113,052 DOT02 PO8003 6,350,023 Fluid01 PO8005 6,318,849 Fluid02 PO9404 09/113,101 Fluid03 PO8066 6,227,652 IJ01 PO8072 6,213,588 IJ02 PO8040 6,213,589 IJ03 PO8071 6,231,163 IJ04 PO8047 6,247,795 IJ05 PO8035 09/113,099 IJ06 PO8044 6,244,691 IJ07 PO8063 6,257,704 IJ08 PO8057 09/112,778 IJ09 PO8056 6,220,694 IJ10 PO8069 6,257,705 IJ11 PO8049 6,247,794 IJ12 PO8036 6,234,610 IJ13 PO8048 6,247,793 IJ14 PO8070 6,264,306 IJ15 PO8067 6,241,342 IJ16 PO8001 6,247,792 IJ17 PO8038 6,264,307 IJ18 PO8033 6,254,220 IJ19 PO8002 6,234,611 IJ20 PO8068 09/112,808 IJ21 PO8062 6,283,582 IJ22 PO8034 6,239,821 IJ23 PO8039 09/113,083 IJ24 PO8041 6,247,796 IJ25 PO8004 09/113,122 IJ26 PO8037 09/112,793 IJ27 PO8043 09/112,794 IJ28 PO8042 09/113,128 IJ29 PO8064 09/113,127 IJ30 PO9389 6.277.653 IJ31 PO9391 6,234,609 IJ32 PP088 6,238,040 IJ33 PP0891 6,288,413 IJ34 PP0890 6,227,654 IJ35 PP0873 6,209,989 IJ36 PP0993 6,247,791 IJ37 PP0890 6,336,710 IJ38 PP1398 6,217,153 IJ39 PP2592 09/112,767 IJ40 PP2593 6,243,113 IJ41 PP3991 6,283,581 IJ42 PP3987 6,247,790 IJ43 PP3985 6,260,953 IJ44 PP3983 6,267,469 IJ45 PO7935 6,224,780 IJM01 PO7936 6,235,212 IJM02 PO7937 6,280,643 IJM03 PO8061 6,284,146 IJM04 PO8054 6,214,244 IJM05 PO8065 6,071,750 IJM06 PO8055 6,267,905 IJM07 PO8053 6,251,298 IJM08 PO8078 6,258,285 IJM09 PO7933 6,255,138 IJM10 PO7950 6,241,904 IJM11 PO7949 09/113,129 IJM12 PO8060 09/113,124 IJM13 PO8059 6,231,773 IJM14 PO8073 6,190,931 IJM15 PO8076 6,248,249 IJM16 PO8075 09/113,120 IJM17 PO8079 6,241,906 IJM18 PO8050 09/113,116 IJM19 PO8052 6,241,905 IJM20 PO7948 09/113,117 IJM21 PO7951 6,231,772 IJM22 PO8074 6,274,056 IJM23 PO7941 09/113,110 IJM24 PO8077 6,248,248 IJM25 PO8058 09/113,087 IJM26 PO8051 09/113,074 IJM27 PO8045 6,110,754 IJM28 PO7952 09/113,088 IJM29 PO8046 09/112,771 IJM30 PO9390 6,264,849 IJM31 PO9392 6,254,793 IJM32 PP0889 6,235,211 IJM35 PP0887 09/112,801 IJM36 PP0882 6,264,850 IJM37 PP0874 6,258,284 IJM38 PP1396 09/113,098 IJM39 PP3989 6,228,668 IJM40 PP2591 6,180,427 IJM41 PP3990 6,171,875 IJM42 PP3986 6,267,904 IJM43 PP3984 6,245,247 IJM44 PP3982 09/112,835 IJM45 PP0895 6,231,148 I401 PP0870 09/113,106 IR02 PP0869 09/113,105 IR04 PP0887 09/113,104 IR05 PP0885 6,238,033 IR06 PP0884 09/112,766 IR10 PP0886 6,238,111 IR12 PP0871 09/113,086 IR13 PP0876 09/113,094 IR14 PP0877 09/112,760 IR16 PP0878 6,196,739 IR17 PP0879 09/112,774 IR18 PP0883 6,270,182 IR19 PP0880 6,152,619 IR20 PP0881 09/113,092 IR21 PO8006 6,087,638 MEMS02 PO8007 09/113,093 MEMS03 PO8008 09/113,062 MEMS04 PO8010 6,041,600 MEMS05 PO8011 09/113,082 MEMS06 PO7947 6,067,797 MEMS07 PO7944 09/113,080 MEMS09 PO7946 6,044,646 MEMS10 PO9393 09/113,065 MEMS11 PP0875 09/113,078 MEMS12 PP0894 09/113,075 MEMS13

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses an anisotropic media—ridged/fibre.

The present invention relates to print media and discloses a process of treatment so as to reduce the likelihood of “curling” in print media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, it has become more and more popular in respect of photographic reproduction techniques to produce longer and longer “panoramic” views of an image. These images can be produced on photographic paper or the like and the structure of the image is normally to have longer and longer lengths in comparison to the width so as to produce the more “panoramic” type views.

Unfortunately, this imposes a problem where the photographic paper to be imaged upon originally was stored on a roll of small diameter.

For example, referring to FIG. 1, the print media upon which an image is to be printed can be stored on a small roll 3 for an indefinite period of time. The storage on the roll 3 can often impart a semi-permanent “curl” to the paper 4. Subsequently, a portion of the roll 3 is unrolled as required and an image 5 is deposited on the media by means of printing and/or photographic imaging. The print media with its image 5 is normally held in place by means of rollers so as to ensure an accurate, flat, plane surface is provided for any imaging device utilising the print media. At a subsequent phase of the processing the print media is normally cut into desired length and stacked in a “sheet” form 6.

However, when the print media is stored for long periods of time in a tightly curled roll, the print media 4 can take on a memory characteristic due to being curled around roller 3 for the extended period of time. Hence, images produced utilizing this process can often include an unwanted curl 7 consequential upon being tightly curled around roll 3. This is generally an undesirable characteristic. Of course, one way to overcome this problem is to increase the circumference of roll 3 and to thereby flatten the circumference of any paper roll around the roll 3. However, increasing the circumference of roll 3 is not desirable should it be required to include the roll 3 in a portable hand held type camera device. The portable nature of such a device requires as small a roll 3 as possible thereby leading to increasing levels of curl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a form of print media having reduced curl characteristics.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a print media having a reduced degree of curling in use, said print media having anisotropic stiffness in the direction of said planes.

In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing the curl in an image printed on print media having an anisotropic stiffness, said method comprising applying a localized pressure to a portion of said print media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a method of creation of images on print media;

FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a illustrate the structure of the print media constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates utilization of the print media constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first form of construction of print media in accordance with the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a further form of construction of print media in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of a further form of construction of print media in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates one form of manufacture of the print media construction in accordance with FIGS. 6 and 7; and

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative form of manufacture by extruding fibrous material for utilization with the arrangement of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print media to be stored in a tightly rolled form is processed to have an anisotropic ribbed structure which allows the print media to be suitable for carriage in a roll form but further allows for the anisotropic rib structure to be utilized when viewing images printed on the print media so as to reduce the extent of curling of the print media.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a sheet 10 of print media 11 as treated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The sheet 10 is preferably constructed of a plastic planar film although other forms of film 11 would be suitable. The sheet 10 is pre-treated to have a polymer rib-like structure 12 shown in FIG. 2 in an exaggerated form with the actual column pitch being approximately 200 μm. Hence, one surface of the sheet 10 is treated so as to have a series of columns e.g. 12 running up and down the length of the sheet 10, the cross-section of the column 12 being illustrated in an enlarged form in FIG. 2a.

The advantage of utilizing the series of columns or ribs 12 is evident when a force 13 is applied to a portion of the surface area of the sheet 10. The column 12, although allowing the sheet 10 to be rolled tightly, resists any rolling of the sheet 10 in the direction 16. Hence, any force applied 13 is likely to be transmitted both in directions 15 and 16. The anisotropic nature of the sheet 10 will result in the ribs 12 acting to provide support both in directions 15 and 16 thereby limiting the curl of sheet 10. The resistance is primarily due to the resistance of ribs 12 from any bending in the direction 16. The anisotropic strength of the material also allows it to be stored on a roll with the greater strength axis being along the central axis of the roll.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the image on sheet 10 can then be viewed, with reduced effects due to curling, by merely holding the sheet 10 in a user's hands 20, 21 and applying subtle pressure at points 24, 25. The application of pressure at points 24, 25 is transmitted throughout the sheet 10 thereby providing a flat viewing surface with limited curling.

Of course, the anisotropic media can be produced utilizing a number of techniques where the media comprises a plastic type material. For example, it could be produced by methods of extrusion. Alternatively, other techniques can be utilized. For example, one form of production 40 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 and relies upon the media 41 being pressed between rollers 42, 43. The roller 43 has a flat surface with the roller 42 having a serrated surface 45 as illustrated in FIG. 4a. The dimensions of the serration are exaggerated in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes.

Where the media is unsuitable for utilization in such a process 40, the anisotropic media can be provided by utilizing two film surfaces joined together. Such a process 50 is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein a first surface 51 upon which it is desired to print an image is mated with a second surface 52 by means of glue, heat fusion etc. as required.

Furthermore, other forms of manufacture of the print media 11 are possible. For example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the construction of print media 60 is shown in cross-section and could be constructed from a first fibrous material 61 which can comprise strong polymer based fibres constructed from annealed polyethylene napthalate drawn into a fibrous form. A second heat flowable polymer 62 which can comprise polyethylene is utilized to provide the “paper” base for the carriage of ink/imaging chemicals. The media polymer 62 can be compressed with the fibrous material 61 while still in a viscous form (for example, after being heated) so that the fibre 61 and print base 62 form one integral unit as illustrated in FIG. 7. The arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be constructed in accordance with a number of techniques.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a first such technique which utilizes pre-formed spools e.g. 80 of fibrous material, the number of spools and corresponding fibres 81 being equivalent in number to the length of the desired print roll. The spools 80 are ranged such that corresponding fibres 81 are fed over a first roller 82. The fibres 81 are then drawn past a print media application unit 84 which applies the layer of viscous heated print media to the fibres. Subsequently, rollers 85, 86 apply the necessary pressure to the fibres and print media so as to fuse the two together and flatten the surface of the print media so as to form a final anisotropic surface 88. Subsequently, the surface 88 is cut across its width and rolled to form anisotropic print media as hereinbefore described.

Of course, alternative forms of creating the fibrous material on demand are possible. For example, in FIG. 9, there is illustrated one form of creating an extruded fibrous material by means of drawing fibre e.g. 91 from a vat 90, the arrangement of FIG. 9 designed to replace the need for spools 80 of FIG. 8.

It would be obvious to those skilled in a the art that other forms of forming the anisotropic surface may be possible, the foregoing describing only a number of embodiments. Further modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made to the composition and structure of the anisotropic print media without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital camera print roll of print media, the print media having a surface on which an image is to be printed by said digital camera, said print media having anisotropic stiffness which is provided by means of a periodic stiffness of the print media, the anisotropic stiffness reducing curl or buckle arising as a result of storage. 